Weird thing is, modern steel and early steel do behave substantially similar because all alloys do indeed have the same modulus of elasticity (around 29,000,000 psi).
Stress = strain x modulus of elasticity.
An weaker steel will fail at a lower strain. If one subjected modern barrels and early barrels of identical geometry to identical pressures (stresses) the strain readings would, in theory, be identical. A barrel (or anything) composed of stronger steel can "stretch" more before it fails.
Last edited by RyanF; 06/03/11 11:38 AM.
